Intensive Vs Extensive Green Roof

Extensive green roof systems extensive systems are simpler and lighter weight than intensive systems.

Intensive vs extensive green roof.

If you are looking for a low maintenance lightweight green roof that features simple and self maintaining vegetation then the extensive green roof is for you. These can easily be installed on sheds and garages. In addition to the mosses grasses and sedum of extensive roofs semi intensive plantings include herbs flowering plants taller grasses and small shrubs. You can compare an intensive roof to a normal garden and this is why an intensive green roof is also known as a roof garden or garden roof.

An extensive green roof is characterized by a thinner layer of soil and smaller plants. A 2006 study by the university of michigan comparing costs of conventional and green roofs showed that on average installing a green roof costs about 22 00 sq. These systems range in thickness from 2 6 94 and weigh approximately 15 30lbs per sq ft. The distinction is based on the kind of plant involved.

Roughly speaking extensive green roofs have a thickness of between 4 and 15 cm and a weight of between 30 and 220 kg m2. Intensive planting there are two ways of planting a roof. Intensive includes a thick layer of soil that can support large vegetation such as small trees. Due to their light weight and low profile they require less structural support and can be used on roofs with a slope of 30 b0 and higher.

It should be clear from the above which green roof type is best for you. The plants that are mostly used on extensively planted roofs include grasses mosses herbs and succulents. A green roof comes in two varieties. For a conventional roof.

A semi intensive green roof can give rise to a richer ecology with more diverse plant and animal species. 8 to 20 per square foot. It also allows for a formal garden to be installed with paths grass lawn and flowers or pot plants. 15 to 50 per square foot.

Semi intensive green roofs require a deeper soil layer but the payoff is in the types of plantings that can be used.